The Best Hiking Boots For Every Type of Hike

One of the best things about running is the low barrier to entry—throw on some sneakers and you’re ready to go. But as you start to increase your mileage, whether you’re training for the New York City Marathon, a Rock 'n' Roll half, or a local 10k, you start to realize that what you wear, how you fuel, and the accessories you carry are all critical to your success—in other words, there comes a time when you'll want to upgrade your road running shoes or swap out that old gym shirt for a moisture-wicking option.

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Sticking to a diet, especially when you are away from home traveling, is often difficult, particularly if you are a vegetarian or vegan. The options just aren’t the same.

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October is here and so are these great points and miles deals, and the latest in credit card perks—all of which come in handy for leaf-peeping trips, spooky getaways for Halloween, and last-minute journeys to chase some autumn sun. (Need some ideas? Check out this list of the best places to visit in October to get the travel inspiration going.) And for the aviation geeks: Here’s a rundown of the latest loyalty industry news and perks, so you don’t have to scour the internet to find them. Register for these points and miles deals to boost your account balances, and then start planning where you want to go next. We've got all the best points and miles deals for October, below.

I've traveled the world on a shoestring budget.

I've slept like a queen all over the world.

There’s never a wrong time of year to visit the Berkshires, the mountainous stretch of western Massachusetts located just 140 miles north of New York City. You can thank the fall’s vibrant display of foliage, summer’s Tanglewood music festival that draws crowds from all over the world, and a steady tide of new hotel openings to take advantage of as cozy winter getaways and for ski season. The region also has strong roots as an artists community, with a robust community of galleries, independent boutiques, and museums. And for city dwellers looking to stretch their legs, the Berkshires is also home to scenic hiking trails and winter slopes for every activity and ability level.

To survive cold weather at home, you likely have a favored Big Coat. But whether it’s a flowy wool trench that grazes that ground or a bulbous puffer that makes you a dead-ringer for the Michelin Man, it’s probably unsuited for life in transit. When you’re traveling on a plane, a truly big coat can make getting yourself through security and squeezing yourself into ever-shrinking basic economy plane seats a real hassle.

For dwellers of the mountains or high desert, a good pair of hiking boots is essential. As a gear tester and editor at Matador, I’ve worn many pairs from brands both established and new, and given that I hike hundreds of miles per year, have become quite picky about what I want in a pair of boots for the trail. I recently acquired a pair of Oboz Cottonwood Mid Waterproof hiking boots, listed with the term B-DRY on the REI website, after demoing them at a trade show, and after a month of constant trail use, the boots have earned their place in my gear collection as my new pair of go-to hiking boots. Here’s why.

Not all oceanside vacations are created equal, and one trip to Wilmington and our island beaches will show you why we’re the crown jewel of coastal getaways in the Carolinas. With the city’s historic River District and Riverwalk, along with three island beaches just minutes away, there’s plenty to explore. Expect to encounter turquoise waters, exceptional sand, one-of-a-kind nature escapes, and award-winning chefs and breweries — just a few of the many attractions you’ll fall in love with on this slice of the North Carolina coast.